ArmInfo. The Ombudsman of Armenia Arman Tatoyan made a statement referring with the decision of the Azerbaijani authorities to announce an international wanted list through Interpol the European Parliament members (EP) Frank Engel (Luxembourg), Eleni Teoharus (Cyprus) and Jaromir Stetina (Czech Republic) for the carrying out observation mission to the referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"By spreading these false and senseless statements, Azerbaijan will not be able to achieve their goals. European Parliamentarians are not wanted on the lines of Interpol, which has already been officially declared by the Armenian Police. According to the principle of counter precedents "Case of Lapshin", the visits by international activists and journalists in Artsakh will be intensified. Moreover, such stepes of Azerbaijan will support that. A striking example is the visit of 104 foreign observers from 30 countries in the Nagorno-Karabakh for the observation mission of the constitutional referendum. All these people, including Frank Engel, Eleni Teoharus and Jaromir Stetina are carriers of democratic values. The visit and the work of international guests in Artsakh has always been considered and will be considered legitimate", Tatoyan's statement sent to ArmInfo reads.
At the same time, the Armenian Ombudsman urged bold and hard work towards the international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh and its democratic principles. "It's time to expose the legal discredit and destroy the phenomenon called "blacklist". No vicious step of Azerbaijan can stop the process for the democratic development of Artsakh".
To note, the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan in respect of the European Parliamentariens opened a criminal case for repeated "illegal visit" to Nagorno Karabakh, for participation in the referendum on February 20 as observers. "European parliamentarians also charged for conducting propaganda of "Separatism", illegal participation in the activities organized in those territories, and pretending "illegal formation" as an independent republic: " The Court decided to arrest F.Engelya, E.Teoharusa and J. Stetina, they have been declared internationally wanted on Interpol line. The constitutional referendum in Nagorno Karabakh was held on February 20. Reform Project, providing transition from a semi-presidential form of government to presidential, and was adopted by 87%.